Method and apparatus for aligning strip in strip joining equipment

ABSTRACT

Method and apparatus for joining metal strip in general end-toend relationship involving first aligning the strip lengths both transversely and angularly (to prevent dogleg) whereby the joint will be made so that the centerline of the strips will coincide with the longitudinal centerline of a machine. The control system includes, at each side of the joining means or welder, two sensors along one side of the strip which are interconnected by a sprocket and chain or equivalent means so that as one of the sensors follows the edge of the strip, the other will move correspondingly whereby both sensors will always be equidistant from the longitudinal centerline of the machine and one will control lateral movement of an auxiliary strip clamp to move the strip accordingly. A third sensor on the opposite side of the strip and of one of said sensor, and similarly linked thereto by a sprocket and chain or the like, is effective to control the main clamp to finally move the strip laterally so that its centerline will coincide with that of the machine. Similar controls are provided at the exit (tail end) and the entry (head end) of the machine. A fourth sensor control is optional to prevent the necessity of circuit switching.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Foster R. Woodward Warren, Ohio [21] Appl. No. 716,116

[22] Filed Mar. 26, 1968 [45] Patented May 4, 1971 [73] Assignee The Taylor-Winfield Corporation Warren, Ohio [54] METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ALIGNING STRIP IN STRIP JOINING EQUIPMENT 10 Claims, 1 Drawing Fig.

3,370,771 2/1968 Shay ABSTRACT: Method and apparatus for joining metal strip in general end-to-end relationship involving first aligning the strip lengths both transversely and angularly (to prevent dogleg) whereby the joint will be made so that the centerline of the strips will coincide with the longitudinal centerline of a machine. The control system includes, at each side of the joining means or welder, two sensors along one side of the strip which are interconnected by a sprocket and chain or equivalent means so that as one of the sensors follows the edge of the strip, the other will move correspondingly whereby both sensors will always be equidistant from the longitudinal centerline of the machine and one will control lateral movement of an auxiliary strip clamp to move the strip accordingly. A third sensor on the opposite side of the strip and of one of said sensor, and similarly linked thereto by a sprocket and chain or the like, is effective to control the main clamp to finally move the strip laterally so that its centerline will coincide with that of the machine. Similar controls are provided at the exit (tail end) and the entry (head end) of the machine. A fourth sensor control is optional to prevent the necessity of circuit switching.

INVENTOR.

his ATTORNEY FOSTER R. WOODWARD 82m 55 zoiumma ill, .EM) 1. 82m 9G5 z. .2 N A PATENTEDHAY 41971 end portions of strip lengths to be joined in the joining apparatus and for aligning the strip lengths, both transversely and angularly, so that the joint will be made in precise centerline to centerline relation and in such a manner that the continuous joined strip will have no deviation in its centerline. The primary object of the invention is the provision of practical apparatus for use directly in association with the strip joining equipment involved and which operates'in a substantially automatic manner to rapidly accomplish these alignments immediately preparatory to the joining of the lengths.

While heretofore a number of proposals have been made to align the strip edge-to-edge at the joint line, there have been only crude and somewhat impractical proposals for methods and means to longitudinally align the centerline of a new or succeeding strip length with the centerline of a first strip length about to be paid off through the joining equipment whereby the resulting continuous strip is free of dogleg." The aligning problem becomes somewhat acute when handling strip of thin gauge since edge rolls or other side guides cannot be used since the edges of the thin strip have very little lateral strength.

Since most of the allied equipment in the strip joining line is old in the art, the present invention is concerned only with the strip aligning means for accurately positioningthe strip prior to joining by any of the current means, such as flash welding, seam welding, arc welding, etc. I

It should be further understood that for most efficient, trouble-free operation, the centerline of the strip, after joining,

should coincide with the centerline of all the allied mill'line equipment.

The various electrical and mechanical devices used to control the sequence of the alignment means are old in the art; therefore, per se, they are not a part of this invention. They are described but not shown in the drawing since they are illustrated in the prior art, such as the aforesaid patent.

The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from a study of the following description, taken with the accompanying drawing wherein:

In the single FIG., numeral 10', represents a plan view of a general type of strip joining machine on which are mounted slides -l and 2 actuated by fluid cylinders or motors 3 and 4, respectively. Mounted on and carried by the slides l and 2 are the main clamps 5 and 6, respectively. Also mounted on slides and 2 are the auxiliary clamps 7 and 8, respectively.

Since the strip aligning mechanism to the right of strip joining means 10' is identical to the strip aligning means to the left of strip joining means 10', the following description of the latter will suffice for both.

Numerals 9, l0 (and 12), and 11 are sensing means mounted on slides l3, l4 and 15, respectively.

Brackets 16, 17, 18, I9 and 20 are rigidly fastened to and travel with slides 13, 14 and 15, respectively.

A pair of sprockets or pulleys 21, a pair of sprockets or pulleys 22, and single sprockets or pulleys 23 and 24 are all mounted on a stationary part of the machine proper.

A chain 25 (shown by dotted line) is fastened to bracket 16 at point 26. It wraps around one of a pair of sprockets at 21 and also around a pair of sprockets at 22 and finally terminates and is fastened to bracket 19 at 27.

A chain 28 (shown by solid line) is fastened to bracket 17 at point 29. It wraps around the other of the pair of sprockets at 21 and also around the other of the pair of sprockets at 22 and finally terminates and is fastened to bracket 18 at point 30.

A single loop chain 31 is wrapped around single pulleys 23 and 24. Slide 14 is fastened to one of the straight sides of flopped chain 31 at point 32. Slide is fastened to the other of the straight sides of looped chain 31 at point 33.

From the above description of the multiple chains it can be readily seen that any movement of any one of the slides 13,14 or 15 will cause an exact corresponding movement, in unison, of the other two slides. This unified movement of the three slides together with their separate functions is the essential feature of this invention. It is to be understood that the definite interlocking of the three slides causing then to work in exact unison can be done by other equivalent mechanical, electrical, hydraulic or pneumatic means which are within the scope of the present invention. For example, cables or racks and pinions or right-hand and left-hand screws may provide similar synchronous motions.

An explanation of the operation of the above described appara tus is as follows:

Briefly stated, this welder alignment control system will automatically align the tail end of a running strip with the lead end of a new strip. The system will shift both the running strip and'the new strip parallel to the machine centerline. Finally it will align both strip centerlines on the mill centerline. Thus centerline of the machine. Sensors 10a, 10a and 11a work in a similar manner on the entry or head end of the welder. When both strip ends are on the centerline, the welding operation is performed.

More specifically, and referring to the drawing, sensors 9, 10 and 11 are located at the exit side of the welder. Corresponding sensors 9a, 10a and are located at the entry side of the welder. I

After the tail (exit) end of the strip has been positioned relative to the strip joining means, said strip is gripped by auxiliary clamp 7 which gives signal to the electrical control system. Sensor 10 is rapidly traversed toward the strip edge at relatively high speed. Sensor 9 is rigidly attached to sensor 10 through the medium of a linkage which, in the embodiment illustrated, is a series of chains and sprockets 25, 28, 21, 22. Sensors 9 and 10 are in line, or in other words, the same distance from the mill centerline.

As sensor 10 reaches the strip edge, the control system switches from rapid traverse to automatic edge seeking. As soon as sensor 10 has settled on the strip edge, it gives a signal to energize a valve which controls the transverse movement of the slide 1 which carries the auxiliary clamp 7 and main clamp 5. The auxiliary clamp 7 will traverse until no error signal is seen in sensor 9. Clamp 7 allows slight pivotal movement of the strip about the center of clamp 7. As the strip is moved, sensor 10 continues to follow the edge of the strip, and in so doing, repositions sensor 9. When coincidence is registered in both sensor 9 and 10, the cylinder 3 is blocked and a contact is closed to indicate that the running strip (tail end) is now parallel to the mill centerline since both sensors 9 and 10 are located the same distance from the machine centerline; thus making the two sensed points equidistant from the mill centerline.

The exit main clamp 5 is now closed which holds the strip from further change in angular alignment and a loop is formed in the strip. The electrics of the system are now switched such 1. l -T he operation at the, head (entry) end is the same as that in the exit (tail) end.

The head end of a new coilis now positionedin the strip I joining meansand is gripped by the entry end auxiliary 'clamp 8' which gives a signal to the. electrical control system. Sensor l a is rapidlyt'raversedtoward the-strip edge 'at relatively high 7 speed. Sensor 91; is rigidly'attach'ed to sensor a through the medium of alinkage' which, inthe instant embodiment, is a 'series'of-chains and sprockets a, 28a, 21aand 22a. Sensors 9a" and 100 are in line, or in other words, the same distance form the mill centerline.

As sensor 10a reaches the strip-edge, the control system switches from rapid traverse to automatic edge seeking. As

soon as sensor 10:; has settled on the'strip edgejit givesa continues to follow the-edge of the strip, and in so doing, repositions sensor 9a. When coincidence is registered in both sensors 94 and 104, the cylinder 4 isblocked and a contact is closed to indicate that'the new strip (head end) is now parallel to the mill centerline'since both sensors 911 and 10a are located the same distance from the machinecenterline; thus 'niaking the twosensed points equidistant from the mill center; lineJ .The entry main clamp 6-is now closed which holds the strip from further change in angular alignment and a loop is formed in the strip on the entry side.- The electrics of the-system are now switched such that sensor 10:; yet controls the sensor i positions of sensors 9a, 10a, ll-a, but sensor llirnow controls the position of slide 2: Both systems now operate until an error 3 signal is eliminated at sensor 11a. When thisgoccurs, the strip centerline is at the machine centerline, the main clamp 6 is locked and the sensors are retracted. i

' Thus the centerlines of both the tail 'end and head end strips are now in coincidence with the mill centerline.

' 7 Thus it will be seen that I have provided an efficient method which circuitry would operate in conjunction witht r t of sensor'QI-therbyiallowingthe circuitry sensor llllto work in con 1 juncticri'witli sensor "111 to controlthe final movement of slidem x "edge of said leading end an auiriliary t larnp for clamor ing and laterallyfimovingsaid leading; ehdIportion under the er ofsard. sensors to eliminate "dogleg," and a. thirdsensor on the opposite side of said leading end portion and mechanically coupled to said' other sensorso as to move in synchronism therewith, and a main clamp controlled -by said third sensor so as to move said leading end portion so that' its longitudinal centerline will coincide with that of said apparatus.

2. Apparatus asrecitedin claim 1 wherein said first two mentioned sensors are mechanically coupled by chain and sprocket means and wherein said third sensor and-the oppositely disposed sensor are mechanically coupled by chain and sprocket means. f I a 1 3. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said auxiliary clamp embodies a relatively small clamping area as compared to said main clamp so as to allow pivotal movement about its center of said leading end portion.

4. Apparatus as recited in claim ltogeth er with a pair of sensors along one side of said trailing end portion, means for mechanically coupling said last mentioned sensors so that they will move in unison equidistantly from the longitudinal-centerline of said apparatus, one of said last mentioned sensors sensing the position of a side edge of said trailing end portion, an auxiliary clamp for clamping and laterally moving said trailing end portion under the control of theother of saidlast mentioned sensors to eliminate dogleg,- and a third sensor on the opposite side of saidtrailing' end portion and mechanically coupled to said other last mentionedsensor so as to move in synchronism therewith, and a main clamp controlled by said last mentioned third sensor so as to move said trailing end portionso that its longitudinal centerline will coincide with that of said apparatus.

- I .5.v Apparatus as recited claim 1 together with a fourth sensorcoupled to said first mentioned sensor operable in conjunction with said other sensor to allows aid first mentioned sensor to work in conjunction with said third sensor to laterally slide said main clamp..

and apparatus for aligning both longitudinally and laterally the trailing end portion of a first strip length with the leading portion of a second stripf length preparatory to joining thesame into' one continuous strip length, comprising sensing the. posi- 'tion of a side edge of the" trailing endportion by a-sensor,

mechanically coupling said sensor to' a second sensor so as to move in unisonand synchronism' therewith along the same side edge, using the second sensor to skew the trailing end por' similar control on the leading end portion of the second strip.

I While lhave illustrated and described a single specific em-' bo'dir'nent of my invention, it will be understood that this is by 1 way of illustration only, and that various changes and modifications maybe made within the contemplation of my invention and within the scope of the following claims.

*1. Apparatus for both longitudinally and laterally aligning the trailing end'portion of a first strip length with the leading 'end'portion of a second strip length preparatory to joining the two into one continuous strip length, comprising a pair of sen-v sors along one-side of said leading end-portion, means for mechanically coupling said'sensors so that they will move in unison equidistantly from the longitudinal centerline of said apparatus, one of said sensors sensing the position of a side '6. Themethod of positioning a metal strip length in joining apparatus just prior to joining it with another strip length in a continuousstrip. processing line, which'compris'es following, with afirst sensor, one' edge' portion of said metal strip length,

'movinga longitudinally spaced second sensor in exact accordance withsaid first sensor by coupling them together so that both sensors will always be equidistant from the longitudinal centerline of said processing line, lightly clamping by an auxiliary clamp and thereby transversely moving the end portion-of said metal. strip length to be joined in response to movements of said second sensor until the centerline of said metal strip length is parallel to the centerline of said processing 'line so. as to eliminate. dogleg, sensing by a third sensor while always spacing it from said first sensor by the width'of said metal strip length, transversely across said first sensor, the opposite longitudinal edge of said metal strip length, clamping by themain welding clamp, said metal strip end portion and-moving said main welding clamp transversely in response tosaid third sensor until the centerline of said metal strip length coincides with the centerline of said processing line.

1.,The method recited in claim 1 together withforrning a strip loop for manipulation immediately after said main clamp is closed.

8. The method recited in claim 1 wherein said entire method is also applied to said another strip length before joining by-welding to said metal strip length, wherebyboth lengths are made free of dogleg andare made coincidental with the centerline of said proces'singline.

9. The method recited in claim 1 including mechanically coupling said: third sensor to said first sensor.

10. The method recited in claim 1 wherein said coupling is "effected manually. 

1. Apparatus for both longitudinally and laterally aligning the trailing end portion of a first strip length with the leading end portion of a second strip length preparatory to joining the two into one continuous strip length, comprising a pair of sensors along one side of said leading end portion, means for mechanically coupling said sensors so that they will move in unison equidistantly from the longitudinal centerline of said apparatus, one of said sensors sensing the position of a side edge of said leading end portion, an auxiliary clamp for clamping and laterally moving said leading end portion under the control of the other of said sensors to eliminate ''''dogleg,'''' and a third sensor on the opposite side of said leading end portion and mechanically coupled to said other sensor so as to move in synchronism therewith, and a main clamp controlled by said third sensor so as to move said leading end portion so that its longitudinal centerline will coincide with that of said apparatus.
 2. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said first two mentioned sensors are mechanically coupled by chain and sprocket means and wherein said third sensor and the oppositely disposed sensor are mechanically coupled by chain and sprocket means.
 3. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said auxiliary clamp embodies a relatively small clamping area as compared to said main clamp so as to allow pivotal movement about its center of said leading end portion.
 4. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 together with a pair of sensors along one side of said trailing end portion, means for mechanically coupling said last mentioned sensors so that they will move in unison equidistantly from the longitudinal centerline of said apparatus, one of said last mentioned sensors sensing the position of a side edge of said trailing end portion, an auxiliary clamp for clamping and laterally moving said trailiNg end portion under the control of the other of said last mentioned sensors to eliminate ''''dogleg,'''' and a third sensor on the opposite side of said trailing end portion and mechanically coupled to said other last mentioned sensor so as to move in synchronism therewith, and a main clamp controlled by said last mentioned third sensor so as to move said trailing end portion so that its longitudinal centerline will coincide with that of said apparatus.
 5. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 together with a fourth sensor coupled to said first mentioned sensor operable in conjunction with said other sensor to allow said first mentioned sensor to work in conjunction with said third sensor to laterally slide said main clamp.
 6. The method of positioning a metal strip length in joining apparatus just prior to joining it with another strip length in a continuous strip processing line, which comprises following, with a first sensor, one edge portion of said metal strip length, moving a longitudinally spaced second sensor in exact accordance with said first sensor by coupling them together so that both sensors will always be equidistant from the longitudinal centerline of said processing line, lightly clamping by an auxiliary clamp and thereby transversely moving the end portion of said metal strip length to be joined in response to movements of said second sensor until the centerline of said metal strip length is parallel to the centerline of said processing line so as to eliminate dogleg, sensing by a third sensor while always spacing it from said first sensor by the width of said metal strip length, transversely across said first sensor, the opposite longitudinal edge of said metal strip length, clamping by the main welding clamp, said metal strip end portion and moving said main welding clamp transversely in response to said third sensor until the centerline of said metal strip length coincides with the centerline of said processing line.
 7. The method recited in claim 1 together with forming a strip loop for manipulation immediately after said main clamp is closed.
 8. The method recited in claim 1 wherein said entire method is also applied to said another strip length before joining by welding to said metal strip length, whereby both lengths are made free of dogleg and are made coincidental with the centerline of said processing line.
 9. The method recited in claim 1 including mechanically coupling said third sensor to said first sensor.
 10. The method recited in claim 1 wherein said coupling is effected manually. 